Americans Need 1 Victory For Crystal River Rematch

WINTER GARDEN — After eliminating Jay from the Section 1 Major All-Star tournament, the Altamonte Springs Americans needed to do the same to Yulee before getting another shot at Crystal River.

Altamonte swept past Jay, 6-1, on the strength of Chuck Lamb's one-hitter. Crystal River, which defeated Altamonte, 5-3, on a seventh-inning home run by John Balmer, rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the seventh inning against Yulee with Balmer hitting a grand slam for a 5-3 triumph.

While eliminating Jay, the Altamonte team still wasn't taking full advantage of its opportunities. The Americans stranded 15 runners in the loss to Crystal River. Another 11 were left on the bases against Jay.

In addition to his one-hitter, Lamb also provided much of the offensive punch with four consecutive hits. Lamb scored twice and doubled home a run in the third inning.

Chris Jackson, who was scheduled to get the next pitching assignment for the Americans, was inserted into the starting lineup against Jay and responded with a pair of singles before jamming his foot sliding into second base, which forced him to the bench in the third inning .

After allowing a home run to Jason Campbell in the bottom of the fourth, the only hit Jay managed in the game, Lamb encountered his toughest jam of the night in the fifth. Lamb walked the first two batters but then came up with a defensive gem to help himself. Zane Presley bunted the ball and Lamb slipped while trying to field it. But he quickly recovered and got Presley by a step. In the sixth, Lamb retired Jay in order. He finished with six strikeouts and two walks.

Lamb's fourth consecutive hit helped Altamonte boost its lead to 5-1 in the top of the sixth. William Thompson, batting for Jackson, bounced to third with the bases loaded. The throw to get Eddie Howard was wild and the alert Lamb kept on running and scored. The final run came on a bases-loaded walk.